More than any of the other candidates who could have gotten the Lakers’ head coaching job, Byron Scott will get an extended honeymoon period. While I have expressed my thoughts on more than one occasion about how much Scott’s history as a Laker should matter, the fact is that it does. It mattered to the front office when they made their choice to hire him and it matters to fans now.
More than what matters to fans or Jim Buss or Mitch Kupchak, though, what matters to the players is most important. They’re the ones who will follow Scott into the battle or tune him out. They are the ones who must buy in to what he’s selling in terms of philosophy and then go out on the court and execute his schemes. And of all the players, the one who matters most here is Kobe Bryant. He’s the leader of this team on the floor and if he’s on board the other’s will follow him.
And while it’s only been one day, Scott seems to have Kobe fully on board:
.@kobebryant on Coach Scott: "We see things the same way. In terms of philosophically, it's identical." pic.twitter.com/KDyI22qqKE
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 1, 2014
That was the money quote, but it wasn’t all that Kobe said. From Eric Pincus:
Bryant said he learned how to be a professional under Scott’s tutelage. “Byron dealt with me when I was 17, 18 years old. He knows how to communicate with guys in that position, like [rookie] Julius [Randle who] is 19 years old,” said Bryant. “[Scott is] an absolute professional. It’s no accident that you look at the two young guys on that team, and how we turned out — myself and Derek Fisher.”
After Mike Brown and Mike D’Antoni were hired, Kobe also had nice things to say about them but I’d be lying if I said this didn’t feel different. While Kobe was familiar with D’Antoni from their time together with Team USA, his relationship with Scott is much more established and with deeper roots. That relationship can be the foundation of a much stronger working relationship than any Kobe has enjoyed with a coach since Phil Jackson.
Beyond that, though, what Kobe says about being aligned philosophically is probably more important than the ties that history with Scott breeds. One of Mike D’Antoni’s biggest issues was, seemingly, connecting with Kobe and Pau (and, if we go back further, Dwight Howard) to create the buy-in needed to lead them as a group. And while those players tried to say the right things publicly (not always successfully, I might add), it was clear that, after getting a taste of the style that D’Antoni wanted to play, they would have preferred to operate within a different system that focused less on what that coach preached and more on what they had experienced success with under a certain zen practicing head man.
Pau, of course, is gone and we will never truly know how much the butting of heads with the coach mattered in the last few seasons. Was the discord enough to inspire less than maximum effort? Did it affect the execution of the game plan? Did it lead to players freelancing more and not necessarily playing to their fullest potential? Again, we’ll never really know, but none of that seems farfetched. What seems true today, however, is that this will not be the case this season under Scott. At least not for Kobe. And if he’s on board — truly on board — the rest of the team will simply have to go along for the ride. Regardless of how hard Scott pushes them in the process.
How much this translates to wins on the floor is unknown. The team’s talent level — especially defensively — and the unknowns tied to health will matter as much (and likely more) than any amount of chemistry and established good will between the coach and players. But, as I’ve said before, coaching is mainly about two things: scheme and generating the buy-in to execute it. It’s only been one day, but Scott seems to have the latter going for him so far.
Everclear says
If our health holds up, we’re gonna surprise a lot of people out there. Scott is the solid, firm foundation of a coach we’ve sorely missed since Jackson’s departure. I can see it taking a few months to drill into this kids on this team what he (and Kobe) are about, but post-All-Star break, we’re going to be a grind it out team that annoy everyone. I wouldn’t be surprised with a 5th place finish. It’s not likely, but it’s possible.
Warren Wee Lim says
Expectations really take out the fun. The negatrons of the site and the world altogether really just don’t have a place for me. All I’m saying is that I am not expecting a championship this year but to give it a number or a certain standard is taking away the fun from the journey.
I consider every game I see Kobe play (still) is a blessing. You will soon know of this when you only talk of Kobe when he was still playing.
david h says
warren: amen to everything you just said man.
darius: you are correct, everything sounds just about right this early in the season. byron just needs to remember to just ask kobe what he wants to do and then step back and go with the flow. the key of course is that kobe remain healthy, the lakers remain wealthy and byron remain wise.
Go lakers.
Vasheed says
Getting buy-in requires the coach to consider the players he has and what they can actually do. This was one of MDA’s problems. Scott has offered his thoughts on how the Lakers will deal with not having a rim blocker. I donnu if the Lakers can run around as much as needed to make it work but at least Scott is trying to work with what he has.
Mansa says
I truly think the Lakers will surprise people and it depends on a few things. Health is obviously the most important for Players like Kobe, Nash, and Hill. If they are healthy, then we know what they can do. So you have Kobe, Nash, Hill, Boozer, Swaggy, and Lin (not a Lin fan at all, but he’s solid) we know what they are going to give you if health is right. But I think the three players that that will make all the difference in the world is Wesley Johnons, Ed Davis, and Julius Randle. If those three play anywhere close to expectations, I think we are very dangerous. Wesley has the frame and athletic ability to be an Ariza type of player and I think working out with Kobe all summer will truly bring that out. Kobe doesn’t get enough credit for making players better. Ed Davis has the potential to be a much needed rim protector, and if Randle could be in the running for ROY, then I can see us not only making the playoffs, but even being a 4th or 5th seed.
mud says
everyone is saying all the right things, so far. the players have already been briefed on what they must not say to the press and they are following that(i even heard a “we’re not supposed to give names” answer to a reporter). i’m interested to see if this continues, but after one practice, there does seem to be a willingness to “buy in” from every player.
Ed says
I think of Kobe as an asst coach on the offensive side. Are there going to be clashes on tactics when the game gets tight? I hope they keep any disagreements behind closed doors in the office,not in the locker room or on the court. Expect a lot of rough edges in pre-season,but hope to see the seeds of future success.
Oldtimer says
Kobe buys in to Coach new dirction, great! Nash getting back to his old self and contributing. great! Overall, the biggest concern here is chemistry because the old and and new are all experiment. Will Scott be able to incorporate them to Lakers mold? It is like doing some experimental cooking of new ingredients, if you are doing it for the first time, it might not suit to public’s taste compared to the one that has been accepted and earned praise and adding only few ingredients will not affect the specialty. We really have to see the preseason performance to get a glimpse of what is ahead and the first 10 games as Scott mentioned to do some sound forecasting. True, they will be better than Brownie & Dantoni seasons but how better are they, compared to an improved landscape in the Western Division?
Anonymous says
I wanted to respond to Hugh’s comments from the previous thread. Here’s what he had to say about our front court:
Everyone knows how Kobe and Nash’s injuries may impact their playing time but think about how tenuous our front court is:
– Boozer averaged only 24 minutes a game over the last 40 games last year
– Hill has never played more than 20 minutes a game before
– Davis: has averaged less than 20 minutes for the last two years
– Kelly: averaged 22 minutes over 59 games in his rookie season
– Sacre: 17 minutes over 65 games last season
– Randle: He’s a stud but he’s still a rookie
The Lakers are destined to have problems rebounding and defending the interior. If you add a Kobe injury to the mix then the season’s over.
__
There were a couple of thoughts running through my head when I read that. The first is that I truly believe the FO knows our bigs are not the best in the league. There was a budget involved and dollars spent elsewhere on the roster meant little dollars in other areas.
But secondly, I think that you are selling the players a little short. Those six players are competing for time at two positions. If Hill and Davis split the Center spot and Boozer and Randle the Power Forward spot then each player can stay relatively close to the minutes their experience, body and skill level may excel at. I think all of the above can be productive with minutes between 20 – 28 per game.
In the above scenario you have Kelly and Sacre as deeper reserves for foul trouble etc. My only concern with the front line is Hill’s tendency to wear down. I think Scott may well want to keep his minutes a little lower in the beginning of the year so he will stay fresh.
Also, there was no mention of the Small Forward position where Young and Johnson will split time. A tag team between the two of them provides a good balance of offense and defense. A plus is that Young can slide to the Shooting Guard role if need be.
While it would be nice to fill out your starting line up with young studs who can all go for 36 minutes a night that ‘s unrealistic. I think the Lakers FO has done a good job of blending youth with upside and veteran stability.
BigCitySid says
GREAT NEWS for all who truly believe Lakers will make the post-season. Vegas doesn’t agree. In fact “Predicted NBA win totals for the 2014-15 NBA season, posted by the Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas on Tuesday (Oct 1, 2014)” have the line at 31.5 wins for the Lakers. Only seven teams are predicted to win less games.
http://espn.go.com/espn/chalk/story/_/id/11619674/las-vegas-westgate-superbook-sets-win-totals-nba-cleveland-cavaliers-league-best-585
Personally I like the under for the Cavs…58.5 wins…no way.
George Best says
Id take the over on both of those. If Kobe is healthy he is a 5-10 game difference over the total they would otherwise get so 45 games isnt out of the question.
Cleveland is going to be scary good and will likely lose to OKC in the finals.
Im just glad to be able to watch Kobe play and hopefully as he transitions out of the team, a couple of young superstar types like Randle can be added or emerge. Kupchak deserves credit for the team he put together as Lin and Boozer will keep the team competitive enough for Kobe to remind us on occasion he can win games for us.
TheNumberOfFlopsIsTooDamnHigh says
Its easy to have players buy in the coaches’ system if the team is winning. It also helps if there are consistent rotations and minutes for the players so everyone knows his role.
The second point is the reason why D’Antoni alienated some players, and frustrated the living crap out of me.
Having said that, I don’t care if you think I’m crazy:
With Kobe back, Nash contributing and Lin actually being able to make a layup, we should at least get 10 more wins. Not having a coach who thinks defense and rebounding isn’t part of basketball is worth another 10 more wins. Throw in another 5 more wins for improved chemistry due to consistent line-ups (if the team can stay healthy) and voila:
52 wins, I don’t care what everyone else says. GO LAKERS, man I can’t wait any longer!
AusPhil says
Warren – great post. Loved everything about it. I enjoy predictions as much as the next guy, but too much expectation-setting just spoils the journey.
JohnnyP says
Big City Sid,
Shy of a catastrophic accident, Kobe will undoubtedly play the entire season.
The Lakers will no doubt make the playoffs. Make some money! Bet on it!!
GOOOooooOOOOOO LAKERS !!!
Jerke says
“Not having a coach who thinks defense and rebounding isn’t part of basketball is worth another 10 more wins.”
The only problem with this statement is that this team neither has players that are dominant rebounders at either end or good defenders. As much as I want to see kobe and Nash healthy and playing well – they still won’t provide any additional help on the defensive end or grab boards.
Everyone at full health is going to mean a .500 team at best – and that won’t get this team past SA, Portland, OKC, Pelicans, Houston, Dallas, Denver, Clippers, Phoenix, Golden State, or Memphis.
That’s 3 teams that should be legit playoff quality that will miss the post season – Which leaves Sac, Utah, Minny, and LA – and i think there’s an argument to be made that Sac and Minny have more overall potential, youth, talent and athleticism then this current LA team.
rr says
, nd i think there’s an argument to be made that Sac and Minny have more overall potential, youth, talent and athleticism then this current LA team.
—
Utah fits here as well; I would actually rather have Utah’s roster than Sacramento’s.
Other than that, I agree with you. I see it just like last year–no win total between 20 and ~43 would surprise me that much. My guess, like it was last year, is around 30-33.
J C says
New coach, lots of new players, key players coming off major injuries, an aged backcourt, the loss of Pau…there are so many variables here that it’s tough to imagine every single thing falling into place perfectly.
Losing dantoni is definitely addition by subtraction. The same cannot be said about losing Pau.
With a motivated Kobe, a coach and a roster full of guys with something to prove, I see a .500 ball club that will make a run at a playoff seed. Final results may depend greatly on injuries.
But the western conference is very tough.
Regardless of our final win total it should be a fun team to watch and an interesting season.
Jack says
Jerke and rr: I know its an unpopular position to take, but I agree with you that the Lakers’ current talent level would put them at or near the bottom of the Western Conference. Its hard for die hard fans to appreciate the fact that you still love the Lakers but that you can be totally objective in your assessment of their chances for the coming season.
It may actually be a blessing that the Lakers are down during a time frame that sees so many teams in the West so strong. With player controlled opts out creating the potential for shorter contract lengths and younger players seeking larger contracts its hard for current strong teams to keep their stars and afford to retain young players who are emerging stars. This is creating shorter windows of opportunity for teams seeking championships.
Its not out of the question that the Lakers could attain the needed level of talent needed to compete while teams in front of them begin to have talent leakage due to player movement and cap restrictions.
TheNumberOfFlopsIsTooDamnHigh says
Jerke I hear you.
You make some good points, but I beg to differ on this one:
In Hill, Ed Davis (and Randle to an extent) we DO have good rebounding. Not quite elite, mind you, but def. well above average.
And yes, we do not have the talent for elite individual one-on-one defense. But the team’s strategy on how to play defense is more important than that, and it comes from the coach.
Do you, as a team, force the offense baseline and rotate, do you double the post or trap pick and roll players, do you chase the shooter or go through the middle, when do you switch and who helps the helper in what situation, etc.
How you implement and sync all this and emphasize the team’s focus on defense contributes more to the overall success on that end of the spectrum than individual talent.
By the way, I do think that Hill, Johnson, Xavier and even Young can be very effective defenders, with the right coaching.
Many have said that Pau is a big loss, and don’t get me wrong, he is one of my all time favorite laker bigs, on and off the court, I love him to death and hope he will do well in Chicago.
But let me be frank: his effort on defense (or lack thereof) under Brown and even more so under D’Antoni was hurting us more than his contribution on offense gave us. It was getting to the point where he was playing el matador everytime an aggressive guard was driving to the hoop: he would more or less gracefully slide to the side and sidestep out of the way. That’s why I think essentially swapping him for Boozer will be a statistical wash.